Traverse assembly



Jan. 2, 1968 R. H. GOBLE TRAVERSE ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /NvVE/VTORROBERT H. GBLE BV j Filed Oct. 22, 1965 A TTORNEV R. H. GOBLE TRAVERSEASSEMBLY Jan. l2, 1968 2 .Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed OCL. 22, 1965 /VVE/V TORBy ROBERT H. GOBLE MwJC/Zw A TT'ORNEV United States Patent O 3,361,191TRAVERSE ASSEMBLY Robert H. Goble, New York, NY. (3685 Shore Parkway,Brooklyn, NY. 11235) Filed ct. 22, 11965, Ser. No. 501,909 20 Claims.(Cl. 16d- 345) This invention relates to a traverse assembly forsupporting flexible curtains, draperies, panels and the like.Particularly, the invention relates to an improved curtain traverseassembly which is capable of operating on a curved track. In its moreparticular aspects, the invention relates to a rear fold curtaintraverse apparatus designed to operate on a curved track.

Inasmuch as the present invention has arisen out of activity in thedrapery traverse field, the invention will be described and illustratedin terms of an improved tr-averse assembly construction which isparticularly useful in the support and side-wise movement of curtains ordraperies. However, it will be recognized that the invention, in itsbroadest aspects, will be well adapted for use in other fields, andaccordingly the illustrative use of drapery traverse assemblies is notto be considered as limiting.

Conventional drapery traverse assemblies have generally comprised masterand intermediate carriers which either slide or roll on a relativelystraight track member. The master carrier is lactivated by an operatingcord and either pulls the intermediate carriers when the drapery isclosed, or pushes against them when the drapery is opened. Because mostof the known traverse assemblies are designed solely for straight pathoperation, certain ditlic-ulties experienced with curved or irregularpath operation are not usually experienced. These diculties includeexcessive binding and jamming of the carriers as they travel around thecurved portions of the track, entanglement of the operating cable, etc.Attempts at solving the problems inherent in curved track operation haveeither been unsuccessful or have involved fairly complicated andexpensive assemblies.

The present invention is concerned with ra relatively simple andinexpensive curtain traverse assembly which is uniquely adapted forsmooth curved track operation without the difficulties associated withprior arrangements. The traverse assembly of the present invention isparticularly useful for opening and closing stage curtains in theatresand the like, such as over a proscenium arch, or where space is at apremium, or where a particular staging effect is desired. It will,however, be generally useful wherever a curved or irregular curtain pathis desired to achieve either a complete or partial enclosure of aparticular yarea with a drapery, curtain, panel or the like, such as inhospitals, homes, oices, etc, By means of the invention, the path of thedrapery, etc. can be directed along curves of much sharper radii thanhitherto attainable.

The apparatus of the invention overcomes the difficulties associatedwith conventional traverse assemblies by utilizing a hollow trackmember, preferably in the form of a tube or pipe which can be readilybent into the desired configuration at the installation site. The trackmember is provided with a longitudinal slot in its underside, .andsupports a plurality of carriers which slide longitudinally within thetrack and have depending hangers extending through the slot for pivotal-attachment to the curtain or drapery. The cross-sectional shape of thecarriers is generally similar to a lower portion of the cross-section ofthe track member, so as to provide a minimum of play between thecarriers and the track member. A unique feature of the invention residesin the total enclosure of an operating cable within the track member,which cable Patented Jan. 2, 1968 provides the means for effectinglongitudinal movement of the master carriers.

In one embodiment of the invention, the master carriers are providedwith a horizontal and longitudinal aperture through which one run of theoperating cable passes. In another embodiment of the invention, both themaster and intermediate carriers are so provided. In 'both embodiments,a second run of the operating cable passes freely over the tops of allthe carriers. The nature of these apertures in terms of their shape andposition constitutes a unique and essential feature which is responsiblefor the feasibility of curved track operation in accordance with theinvention. In particular the apertures in the carriers are positionednear the center axis of the track member and extend horizontallysubstantially across the diameter of the track so as to provide forsubstantially unrestricted movement of that portion of the operatingcable passing through each .aperture when the cable is placed undertension as the curtain is opened or closed. The operating cable is thusable to immediately assume its most natural position within the trackmember without disturbing the position or stability of the carriers, andconsequently without causing binding of the curtain hangers at the slot.

It `will be readily appreciated that curved track operation differs fromstraight track operation in that the operating -ca'ble in the latter isnot subject to substantial horizontal movement, whereas in the formerthe operating cable shift-s horizontally from one side of the track tothe other whenever the track path changes direction as in a curve.Further, in curved track operation, the operating cable will tend toassume a position of least resistance, by riding up if necessary toabout the center of the track. It will ybe observed, therefore, thatwithout the atoredescribed provision for substantially unrestrictedmovement of the cable when placed under tension, the carriers responsiveto movement of the cable Will be carried with it into a jamming orbinding position, thereby rendering the traverse assembly inoperative.The difficulties experienced with similar traverse assemblies, when usedin curved track operation, have generally derived from their failure toprovide appropriate means for permitting the operating cable to assume anatural unhindered position regardless of the direction of the path ofthe track. As a result, the carriers of prior assemblies are subject toexcessive binding and possible jumping off the track.

In addition to the provision of the aforementioned apertures, the mastercarriers of the present invention, while responsive to longitudinalmovement of the operating cable, are not attached directly thereto, sothat the cable is permitted relatively independent horizontal movement.This is accomplished by provision of a collar member attached to thecable which bears against the master carrier and pushes the latter whenthe cable moves longi tudinally, without, however, hindering itshorizontal movement. This feature will be hereinafter described ingreater detail.

In another embodiment of the invention, wherein all carriers, master andintermediate, are provided with the aforementioned apertures, thehangers associatd with the intermediate carriers are adapted to bepivotally retained thereby, and the intermediate carriers are, in turn,adapted to rotate over the hangers into gripping contact with theoperating cable by the weight of the curtain when the cable is moved inone longitudinal direction, so as to yprovide rear fold action.

Other embodiments and refinements o-f the invention will become apparentin the following description in light of the attached drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partially exploded perspective View of 3 a master carrierand a section of one run of the operating cable, said carrier intendedfor use with a relatively lightweight drapery;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the master carrier of FIGURE l, togetherwith sections of both runs of the operating cable, and the track membershown in partial cross section;

FIGURE 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of an intermediatecarrier intended for use with the master carrier of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of a master carrier intended for use with arelatively heavy drapery, together with sections of both runs of theoperating cable and the track member shown in partial cross section;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical cross section taken along the line 5 5 of FIGURE4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the metal T designated 39 in FIGURE 5;

FIGUREl 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of an intermediatecarrier intended for use with the master carrier of FIGURE 4, togetherwith a section of one run of the operating cable;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of the intermediate carrier of FIGURE 7showing its .position when moved in the direction of the arrow, togetherwith sections of both runs of the operating cable and the track membershown in partial cross section;

FIGURE 8A shows the position of the intermediate carrier of FIGURE Swhen moved in the direction of the arrow and illustrates the cablegripping action of the carrier in the rear fold embodiment of theinvention;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical cross section along the center line of the metalT member of the intermediate carrier of FIGURES 8 and 8A when the latteris moved in the direction of the arrow;

FIGURE l() shows the position of the metal T member of FIGURE 9 when thecarrier is moved in the direction of the arrow, and also illustrates thepivoting of the curtain hanger associated therewith; and

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of a reversely curved track schematicallyshowing a master carrier and two intermediate carriers at differentsections of the track, and illustrating the lateral shifting of theoperating cable with change in direction of the track path.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like referencecharacters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, FIGURES land 4 show master carriers 21 and 21A, intended for use with arelatively lightweight and heavyweight drapery, respectively. FIGURES 2and 5 show these same master carriers in different views. In general allthe carriers of the invention, whether master or intermediate areconstructed of a material having a low coefficient of friction in orderto facilitate their longitudinal movement along the metal track. Thecarriers are generally semi-cylindrical in shape, so that their lowerconvex surfaces are generally complementary to the lower concave innersurface lof track member 10 so as to provide a minimum of playtherebetween and to ensure stable operation. The track member 1t), asshown in FIGURE 5, is generally tubular in shape and has a longitudinalslot 11 in its underside, through which depending curtain hangers 34extend for pivotal attachment to the curtain or drapery. The tubulartrac-k member il@ generally has a circular cross section within whichthe various carriers tit rather snugly as they travel longitudinallywithin the track member. The clearance 12 between the carriers and thetrack member is preferably less than the diameter of the operating cable23 in order to avoid slippage o-f run 23B of the latter between the twoand consequent cable fouling. The track member, being constructed ofconventional tubing or piping can be readily bent into the desiredconfiguration path at the installation site without the need forprefabrication. This feature is of particular significauce for specialstaging effects, etc. where the particular i desired curved path cannotbe readily predicted beforehand.

As indicated in FIGURES l and 5, the master carriers 21 and 21A areprovided with a horizontal and longitudinal aperture 22, through whichone run 23A of an operating cable 23 passes freely. Apertures 22 arelongitudinally bisected by recessed slots 24 in the top surface 25 ofthe carrier. The function of slots 24 will be herein after described infurther detail. As shown in FIGURES 2, 4, and 5, a second run 23B ofoperating cable 23 rides freely over the relatively hat upper surface 25of the carriers generally parallel to the first run 23A. The shape andposition of the apertures 22 in the master carriers 21 or 21A comprisean essential and critical feature of the invention responsible for thefeasibility of curved track drap ery operation. As will be clearlyobserved in FIGURE 5, the apertures 22 are positioned relativelysymmetrically about the` central longitudinal axis of the track member10 and extend laterally along a relatively horizontal planesubstantially across the diameter of the circular cross section of thetrack member 1t). It will be immediately Observed therefore, that,regardless of the instantaneous lateral position of run 23A of operatingcable 23 within aperture 22, the operating cable will have substantiallyunrestricted freedom of movement as it travels through the apertures.

The relative freedom of movement of the operating cable 23 is of suchimportance in the present invention, that a brief elucidation isdesirable, Referring again to FIGURE 5, it will be observed that the tworuns 23A and 23B of operating cable 23 lie very close to one another inabout the same vertical plane and to an extreme side of the trackmember. This will represent a typical situation encountered in curvedtrack operation, as o-pposed to straight track operation wherein the tworuns of the cable would be positioned at about the center axis of thetrack member. In curved track operation, the operating cable, whenplaced under tension, will shift laterally from side to side dependingon the direction of the curved path in a natural attempt to approximatea straight line. This is shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 11. The poblemwith curved track operation, which the present invention overcomes,resides in the connection of the operating cable with the mastercarriers. It will immediately be recognized that in curved trackoperation, the customary integral connection of the operating cable tothe master carriers will be feasible only along the straightrun portionsof the track, but will lead to excessive jamming or binding of thecarriers and their respective cur tain `hangers when the cable shiftslaterally as the carriers travel along the curved portions of the track.Moreover, the operating cable, when placed under tension, will tend toassume the position of least resistance, which will usually be at theposition shown in FIGURE 5; i.e., in a horizontal plane passing throughor near the central yaxis of the track member. Connection of theoperating cable to the master carrier in this case would thus cause atendency for the lmaster carrier to ride up to this cable position oreven jump the track. Obviously, smooth, unhindered drapery operationcannot be achieved under such conditions.

As mentioned, the unique aspect of the present invention which avoidsthe above problems is the provision of the aforedescribed horizontallyand longitudinally apertured master carriers 21 or 21A. As shown in FIG-URE 5, run 23A of the cable can freely assume any lateral position in ahorizontal plane passing through or near the central axis of trackmember 10. Since run 23A of cable 23 is not physically connected tomaster carriers 21 or 21A, binding or jamming difficulties cannot ariseowing to the free lateral shifting of the cable from side to side. Asimilar provision is made for run 23B of cable 23 which rides freelyover top surfaces 25 of the master carriers.

An additional advantage inherent in the traverse assembly of theinvention resides in the total enclosure of both runs 23A and 23B of theoperating cable 23 within the track member so that external cablefouling is avoided and the need for external attachments is obviated.Furthermore, by separation of the two runs 23A and 23B of cable 23, bymeans of upper wall 26 of apertures 22, internal Afouling and tanglingof the two runs is also avoided.

Whereas no physical connection between operating cable 23 and mastercarriers 21 or 21A is utilized in the invention, some provision must ofcourse be made for imparting longitudinal movement to the mastercarriers, which in turn motivates the intermediate carriers. This isaccomplished by means of collar member 27 (FIG- URES 1 and 2) whichengages run 23A of operating cable 23 by means of set screw 28 andthreaded hole 29; and by means of recessed slot 24 in the upper surfacesof the master carriers. As indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2, recessed slot24 has an essentially rectangular cross section and extends horizontallyacross the relatively flat upper surface 25 of the master carrier thuslongitudinally intersecting aperture 22. Recessed slot 24 is dimensionedto receive collar member 27 which is attached to run 23A of cable 23, sothat collar member 27 will ride laterally in recessed slot 24 as cablerun 23A shifts `from side to side. When cable 23 is placed undertension, longitudinal movement thereof will cause collar member 27 tobear against a sidewall of recessed slot 24, thus providing the meansfor movement of master carrier 21 or 21A. For convenience ofinstallation, hole 30 (FIGURE 2) is provided in master carriercommunicating with the bottom wall of recessed slot 24 for insertion ofset screw 28 into frictional engagement with cabe 23. Collar member 27is provided with threaded hole 29 for reception of set screw 28. Whilecollar member 27 is shown as a U-shaped piece, other shapes, e.g.,cylindrical, can be employed.

To further contribute to stability of both the master and intermediatecarriers, annular members (or washers) 31 are provided. These annularmembers 31 are rotatably supported by run 23A of cable 23 in concentricrelation therewith and are preferably positioned within recessed slot24. Preferably, two such washers will be supplied for each mastercarrier 'at opposite sides of collar member 27 as shown in FIGURE 1. Onesuch washer will preferably be provided for each intermediate carrier,as shown in FIGURE 7 to be later described. The washers or annularmembers 31 will thus ride laterally on run 23A of cable 23 withinrecessed slot 24. The annular members 31 will have a portion thereofadapted to project outwardly and come into contact with the respectiveinner surface of track member 10 when run 23A of cable 23 shiftslaterally to an extreme sidewise position such as that shown in FIGURE5. The radial width ofthe ring portion 32 (FIG- URES 1 and 5) of annularAmember 31 is so dimensioned that the aforedescribed contacting with theinner surface of track member 10 will prevent the contacting of cablerun 23A with the sidewalls 22A or 22B of aperture 22. Referring toFIGURE 5, it will be observed that lateral shifting of cable run 23A tothe right will cause annular member 31 to bear against the inner surfaceof track member 10 at the point designated X. It will also be observedthat cable run 23A is prevented from contacting aperture sidewall 22B atthis position because the radial thickness of the ring portion 32 ofannular member 31 is larger than the thickness of sidewall 22B. Theprovision of annular members 31 thus provides additional prevention ofcontact between cable run 23A and the master and intermediate carriers,thereby contributing further to their stability and smooth travel aroundthe curved portions of the track. Moreover, the presence of annularmembers 31 and their consequent bearing against the inner surfaces oftrack member 10 at the critical curved portions of the track path, tendsto prevent tipping or tilting of the carriers which would again hindersmooth traverse operation.

Master carriers 21 and 21A and intermediate carriers 41 and 51 are allprovided with cup-shaped holes 33 which communicate with the bottomsurface of each carrier and are adapted to receive and support curtainhangers 34 in depending relation to said carriers. Curtain hangers 34are composed of a ball portion 35 and a hook portion 36 which arepreferably attached by threaded engagement. Hole 33 has a topball-carrying portion 33A and a bottom cylindrical portion 33B forpassage of the hook portion 36 therethrough. Hooks 36 extend downwardlythrough longitudinal slot I1 in track member 10 for support of thecurtain or drapery.` For purposes of simplicity, the use of hooks hasbeen illustrated but it will be understood that any of a number ofavailable connecting means can be utilized.

The master carrier used with a relatively lightweight curtain has beendescribed with reference to FIGURES l and 2, although certain featuresare more readily observable in FIGURES 4 and 5. The intermediate carrier41 used with the relatively lightweight curtain is shown in FIGURE 3and, as indicated, is generally similar in shape to the lower portion ofmaster carrier 21. As mentioned, in the lightweight curtain embodiment,both runs of the operating cable 23 will ride freely over the iiat topsurface 42 of intermediate carrier 41. Intermediate carrier 41 is alsoprovided with the curtain hanger arrangement described above.

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the master carrier or portions thereofintended for use with a relatively heavyweight curtain. The details ofconstruction are essentially similar to those described previously forthe lightweight embodiment except for the provision of ball receivingcavities 37 and metal T-member 39. Four substantially coplanar ballreceiving cavities 37 are preferably provided in the lower cylindricalsurface of master carriers 21A for reception of rotatable balls 33. Whenthe carriers 21A are in position on the track member 1.0, balls 38 willthus be disposed between the lower surface of the carriers and the innertrack surface. The ball receiving cavities 37 have a diameter onlyslightly greater than balls 38 so that the latter will be retainedthereby but freely rotatable therein. Further, the depth of cavities 37will be slightly less than the diameter of balls 33 so that the latterwill protrude slightly from the lower surface of the carriers to therebypartially support the carriers and provide relatively friction freeoperation.

As shown in FIGURE 5, metal T-member 39 is disposed beneath aperture 22and its top surface 39A forms the bottom wall of aperture 22. Asindicated in FIGURE 6, cup-shaped holes 33 for reception of curtainhangers 34 are formed in the top surface 39A of T-member 39 and extenddownwardly through carriers 21A as shown in FIGURE 5. 'I`member 39 isprovided in the heavyweight curtain embodiment for purposes of addedstrength and to provide a partial bearing surface for balls 38. Asindicated, each flange of the T-rnember together with the trunk of the Tforms the uppermost surfaces of ball receiving cavities 3'7. FIGURE 6illustrates the metal T- member in perspective with the balls 33 andcurtain hangers 34 in normal position. As shown, a portion of recessedslot 24 bisects T-member 39.

FIGURES 7, 8 and 8A illustrate the intermediate carriers used in theheavy track embodiment herein, which are peculiarly adapted forrear-fold operation. As shown in FIGURE 7, intermediate carrier 51 issimilar to master carrier 21A in certain respects, such as recessed slot52, annular member 53, aperture 54, T-member 55, cup-shaped hole 56,balls S7, curtain hangers S8, etc. It will be observed that run 23A ofcable 23 is again capable of shifting laterally in aperture 54 andcarries annular member 53 with it as it moves in slot 52. Intermediatecarriers 51 differ from master carriers 21A, however, in certaincritical respects. Firstly, the rear wall 51A of intermediate carrier 51is relatively perpendicular to cylindrical bottom 51B (FIGURE 8).Secondly, U-shaped clamp member 27 used in conjunction with mastercarrier ZA is omitted thus creating the need for only one annular member53. Thirdly, the front end SiC of intermediate carrier 51 inclinesupwardly forming an acute angle with track member 1t) when theintermediate carrier is in normal position thereon. Fourthly, cup-shapedholes S6 are biased in one direction wherein a front wall 56A isessentially perpendicular to the front bottom wall 51C of intermediatecarrier Si, and rear wall 55B is essentially perpendicular to bottom 51Bof said carrier. These features may be more clearly seen in FIGURE 9which is a cross sectional view of T-member 55 of intermediate carrieri. It will be observed that the provision of the unidirectional bias tocup-shaped hole 56 creates a pivotal retention of ball portion 58A ofcurtain hanger 58 which is, in part, responsible for the rear-foldoperation. When the carriers move in the direction in which the curtainis closed, as indicated by arrows A in FiGURES 8 and 9, intermediatecarriers 51 assume the normal position shown in FIGURE 8 wherein run 23Aof cable 23 can pass freely through apertures 54, bottom wall 51B restson track member it), and wherein hook portion 58B of curtain hanger 58is ilush against the normally vertical rear wall 56B of cup-shaped hole56 (FIGURE 9). When the carriers move in the direction in which thecurtain is opened, as indicated by arrows B of FIGURES 8A and l0, thecenter of gravity of the intermediate carrier Si is caused to shiftslightly to the right by the weight of the curtain, thereby causing thecarrier 51 to rotate in clockwise direction over ball portion 53A ofcurtain hanger 58 so that its normally inclined front end 51C becomesflush with track member 1S. It wil be observed that, due to thevertically downward pull of the curtain, curtain hanger 58 will alwaysassume a relatively vertical position so that the unidirectional bias ofcup-shaped hole 56 will allow the carrier Si itself to rotate over ontoits inclined front bottom wall 51C. The two positions of curtain hanger58 are shown in FIGURE l0, wherein its instantaneous position prior torotation of the carrier is indicated in dotted line.

The rotation of intermediate carrier 5l into the position shown inFiGURE 8A will cause the upper and lower walls of aperture 54 tofrictionally engage run 23A of operating cable 23. Thus, as eachintermediate can rier 5l is rotated into frictional engagement withcable run 23A, the latter will be deformed slightly, and will no longerbe able to freely pass through aperture 54. The net effect of thisfrictional engagement will be a gripping contact of run 23A of cable 23by each intermediate carrier S1. Consequently, the intermediate carrierswill be simultaneously pulled together in relatively evenly spacedrelation so that the curtain or drapery will be taken olfstage inessentially one piece to create the desirable rear fold illusion. Aseach intermediate carrier 51 reaches the end of the track member it? (aspictured, this would be to the extreme right), its front end will bumpagainst the intermediate carrier ahead of it, and it will be uprightedby the Weight of the curtain and by its reverse rotation over ballportion 58A of curtain hanger 58 into the original position of FIGURE S.The cable 23 thus becomes disengaged from the snubbing effect of thecarrier and is able to to again pass freely through aperture 54 when thecable moves in the direction of arrow A in FIG- URE 8 to close thecurtain in conventional manner.

FIGURE 11 illustrates diagrammatically the relative positions of amaster carrier 21A such as shown in FIG- URE 4, two intermediatecarriers 51 such as shown in FIGURE 7, and one run of the operatingcable 23 together with a reversely curved `section of track member it).As indicated, the operating cable shifts laterally from side to sidedepending on the instantaneous direction of the track path.

The traverse assembly of the invention is, of course, subject tovariations and refinements within the contemplation of those skilled inthe art. The carriers are preferably constructed of a plastic typematerial such as polyethylene. For convenience, the track member ispreferably made of steel tubing or pipe. To the extent that otherdetails of construction and/ or conguration are conventional, they havebeen omitted for the benefit of clarity. For example, the operatingcable 23 is conventionally supported and motivated by pulley mechanismsat opposite end of track member 10.

It is to be understood that the traverse assembly of the invention isnot to be limited to the particular design illustrated but that changesmay be made within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A traverse assembly comprising a hollow track member having alongitudinal slot in its underside; an elongated operating cabledisposed within said track member; a plurality of longitudinallyslidable carriers supported within said track member having dependinghanger means extending through said slot; and a master carrierresponsive to movement of said operating cable, said master carrierhaving an aperture for passage of a portion ot said operating cabletherethrough, said aperture being so positioned and dimensioned as toallow substantially unrestricted movement of said operating cable whensaid cable is placed under tension and tends to assume its naturalposition within said track member so as to avoid substantial disturbanceof said master car rier from its normal operating position within saidtrack member regardless of the direction of the track member path.

2. The traverse assembly of claim 1, wherein said track member istubular in nature, and wherein each of said carriers has a downwardlydisposed lower convex portion and a horizontally disposed upper portion,the clearance between said convex portion and the adjacent inner surfaceof the track member being less than the diameter of said operatingcable.

3. The traverse assembly of claim 2 comprising master carriers andintermediate carriers, the master carriers being provided with saidaperture for passage of portions of said operating cable therethrough,wherein other portions of said operating cable ride freely over theupper portion of each of said carriers.

4. The traverse assembly of claim 2 comprising master and intermediatecarriers, all of said carriers being provided with said aperture,wherein a first run of said operating cable passes through the aperturein each carrier, and a second run of said operating cable rides freelyover the horizontally disposed upper portion of each carrier generallyparallel to said irst run.

5. The traverse assembly of claim 4, which additionally comprisesantifriction means `disposed between the lower convex portions of saidcarriers and said track member.

6. The traverse assembly of claim 2 which additionally comprises meansresponsive to longitudinal movement of said operating cable for engagingsaid master carrier without interfering with lateral movement of saidoperating cable when said tension is applied.

7. The traverse assembly of claim 3, which additionally comprises meansresponsive to lateral movement of said operating cable projectingoutwardly therefrom and proximate said carriers, said projecting meansadapted to contact the inner surface of said track member before saidoperating cable bears against the side Walls of said aperture when itshifts laterally so that the stability of the master carrier is notsubstantially disturbed to the extent that said hanger means bind atsaid slot.

8. The traverse assembly of claim 4, wherein the hanger means dependingfrom said intermediate carriers are retained in pivotal relationthereto, and wherein each intermediate carrier is adapted to rotate oversaid pivoted hanger means into gripping contact with the portion of theoperating cable passing through its aperture when the operating cablemoves in one direction, whereby said intermediate carriers are pulled inspaced relation by said cable for a portion of its length.

9. A curtain traverse assembly capable of operating on a curved pathcomprising a hollow tubular track of relatively circular cross-sectionhaving a longitudinal slot in its underside; an elongated operatingcable disposed within said track; a plurality of longitudinally slidablecarriers supported within said track having depending curtain supportingmeans extending through said slot, said carriers having a downwardlydisposed partially cylindrical bottom surface conforming to a portion ofthe inner surface of said track and a relatively horizontally disposedtop surface over which a portion of said operating cable freely rides;at least one of said carriers being a master carrier provided with ahorizontal and longitudinal aperture for passage of another portion ofsaid operating cable therethrough, said aperture extending laterallysubstantially across the cross-sectional diameter of said track and sopositioned and dimensioned with respect to said track as to allowsubstantially unrestricted movement of said operating cable within saidtrack when said cable is placed under tension and tends to assume itsnatural position within said track so as to avoid distur-bing saidmaster carrier from its normal operating position within said track andto prevent binding of curtain supporting means at said slot regardlessof the direction of the track path; and means connected to said cablefor effecting longitudinal movement of said master carrier.

10. The traverse assembly of claim 9, wherein a crosssection of saidcarriers approximates a semi-circle, said cross-section beingrepresentative of a substantial portion of each carrier.

11. The traverse assembly of claim 9, wherein said means for effectinglongitudinal movement of said master carrier comprises a collar membersecured to said operating cable positioned to engage said master carrierwithout `substantial interference with the movement of said cable when.said tension is applied.

12. The traverse assembly of claim 11, wherein said master carrier isprovided with a laterally extending recessed slot in its top surface,and wherein said collar member is sceured to the portion of saidoperating cable passing through .said aperture and rides laterally insaid recessed slot, whereby longitudinal movement of the operating cablewill cause corresponding movement of the master carrier by means of saidcollar member bearing against one side wall of said recessed slot.

13. The traverse assembly of claim 9, wherein said master carrier isprovided with substantially coplanar ball receiving cavities in saidbottom surface, said assembly additionally comprising balls freelyrotatable in said cavities and disposed between said bottom surface andin the inner surface of said track.

14. The traverse assembly of claim 9, comprising master and intermediatecarriers, all of said carriers being provided with said aperture,wherein a first run of said operating cable passes through the aperturein each carrier, and `a second run of said operating cable rides freelyover the fop surface of each carrier generally parallel to said firstrun.

15. The traverse assembly of claim 9, which additionally comprises anannular member rotatably supported by and in concentric relation to saidoperating cable, and means for maintaining said annular member in aposition proximate said master carrier, the ring portion of said annularmember having a radial thickness larger than the thickness of thesidewalls between the ends of said aperture and the coplanar outersurfaces of said carrier, said annular member being thus adapted tocontact the inner surface of said track before said operating cablebears against the sidewalls of said aperture when it shifts laterally,so that the stability of said master carrier is not substantiallydisturbed to the extent that said curtain supporting means will bind atsaid slot.

16. The traverse assembly of claim 14, wherein all of said carriers areprovided with substantially coplanar bail receiving cavities in theirbottom surfaces, and wherein 1i) said assembly additionally comprisesballs freely rotatable in said cavities and disposed between said bottomsurfaces and the inner surface of said track, said assembly furthercomprising a plurality of annular members rotatably supported by and inconcentric relation to said operating cable, and means for maintainingsaid annular members proximate each of said carriers, the ring portionof said annular members having a radial thickness larger than thethickness of the sidewalls between the ends of the correspondingaperture and the coplanar outer surfaces of the corresponding carrierwith which the annular members are associated, the annular members beingthus adapted to contact the inner surface of the track before theoperating cable bears against the sidewalls of said aperture when itshifts laterally, so that the stability of said carriers is notsubstantially disturbed to the extent that said curtain supporting meanswill bind at said slot.

17. The traverse assembly of claim 14, wherein the curtain supportingmeans depending from said intermediate carriers are retained in pivotalrelation thereto, and wherein each intermediate carrier is adapted torotate over said pivoted curtain supporting means into gripping contactwith the portion of the operating cable passing through its aperturewhen the operating cable moves in one direction, whereby saidintermediate carriers are pulled in spaced relation by said cable for aportion of its length.

18. A certain traverse assembly for supporting a relatively light-weightcurtain in depending relation thereto and capable of operating on acurved path comprising:

(A) a hollow tubular track of relatively circular crosssection having alongitudinal slot in its underside;

(B) an elongated operating cable disposed within said track;

(C) a plurality of longitudinally slidable carriers including master andintermediate carriers supported within said track having dependingcurtain hangers extending through said slot in a plane essentiallyperpendicular to the horizontal diameter of said cross section, saidcarriers having a downwardly disposed partially cylindrical bottomsurface conforming to a lower portion of the inner surface of said trackand a relatively horizontally disposed upper surface over which aportion of said operating cable freely rides, the clearance between saidbottom surface and the adjacent inner surface of said track being lessthan the diameter of said operating cable;

(D) the master carriers provided with a horizontal and longitudinalaperture for passage of another portion of said operating cabletherethrough, said aperture extending laterally substantially across thehorizontal cross-sectional diameter of said track and so positioned anddimensioned with respect to said track as to allow substantiallyunrestricted movement of said operating cable within said track whensaid cable is placed under tension and tends to assume its naturalposition within said track so as to avoid disturbing said mastercarriers from their normal operating position within said track and toprevent binding of said curtain hangers at said slot regardless of thedirection of the track path; said master carriers also being providedwith a laterally extending recessed slot in their upper surfaces;

(E) collar members secured to the portions of said operating cablepassing through the apertures in said master carriers and ridinglaterally in said recessed slot, whereby longitudinal movement of saidoperating cable will cause corresponding movement of the master carriersby means of the collar members bearing against the sidewalls of saidrecessed slot; and

(F) washers rotatably supported by and in concentric relation to thesame portions of said operating cable to which the collar members aresecured, the

l1 diameter of said washers being dimensioned to contact the innersurface of said track before said Operating cable bears against thesidewalls of said apertures when it shifts laterally, so that the stafbility of the master carriers is not substantially disturbed to theextent that said curtain hangers will bind at said longitudinal slot;wherein a rst run of said operating cable passes through the aperturesin said master carriers and over the upper surfaces of the intermediatecarriers, and a second run of said operating cable rides freely over theupper surfaces of all of said carriers generally parallel to the firstrun.

19. A curtain traverse assembly for supporting a relatively heavycurtain in depending relation thereto and capable of operating on acurved path comprising:

(A) a hollow tubular track of relatively circular crosssection having alongitudinal slot in its underside;

(B) an elongated operating cable disposed within said track;

(C) a plurality of longitudinally slidable carriers including master andintermediate carriers supported within said track having dependingcurtain hangers extending through said slot in a plane essentiallyperpendicular to the horizontal diameter of said Vcross-section, saidcarriers having (1) a downwardly disposed partially cylindrical bottomsurface conforming to a lower portion of the inner surface of said trackand a relatively horizontally disposed upper surface over which a firstrun of said operating cable freely rides, the clearance between saidbottom surface and the adjacent inner surface of said track being lessthan the diameter of said operating cable,

(2) substantially -coplanar ball-receiving cavities in said bottomsurface,

(3) a horizontal and longitudinal aperture through which a second run ofsaid operating cable passes generally parallel to said first run, saidaperture extending laterally substantially across the horizontalcross-sectional diameter of said track and so positioned and dimensionedwith respect to said track as to allow substantially unrestrictedmovement of said operating cable within said track when said cable isplaced under tension and tends to assume its natural position withinsaid track so as to avoid disturbing said master carriers from theirnormal operating position within said track and to prevent binding ofsaid curtain hangers at said slot regardless of the direction of thetrack path, and

(4) a laterally extending recessed slot in said upper surface;

(D) a plurality of balls freely rotatable in said ballreceiving cavitiesand disposed between said bottom surface and the inner surface of saidtrack;

(E) a plurality of washers rotatably supported by and in concentricrelation to said operating cable thereby riding laterally on said cablewithin said recessed slot, the diameter of said washers beingdimensioned to contact the inner surface of said track before theoperating cable bears against the sidewalls of the aperture in thecorresponding carrier when it shifts laterally, so that the stability ofeach carrier is not substantially disturbed to the extent that itscurtain hanger will bind at said slot; and

(F) collar members secured to those portions of said operating cablepassing through the apertures in said master carriers and ridinglaterally in said recessed slot in the upper surface of the mastercarriers, `whereby longitudinal movement of said 0perating cable willcause corresponding movement of the master carriers by means of saidcollar members bearing either directly against a sidewall of saidrecessed slot or indirectly against one of said washers which in turnbears against said sidewall.

2t). A curtain traverse assembly capable of operating on a curved pathcomprising a hollow tubular track having a longitudinal slot in itsunderside, an elongated operating cable within said track, master andintermediate carriers longitudinally slidable on said track and providedwith apertures through which said operating cable passes, said carriershaving depending curtain supporting means extending through said slotand pivotally attached to the curtain, said intermediate carriers beingadapted to rotate over said curtain supporting means into grippingcontact with the portion of said operating cable passing through itsaperture when the cable moves iu one direction, whereby saidintermediate carriers are pulled in spaced relation by said cable for aportion of its length.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,650,496 11/1927 Day 16-87.61,828,189 9/1932 Rumf et al. 16-87.6 2,012,460 8/1935 Vallen 160-3462,658,572 11/1953 Vallen i60-346 2,745,488 5/1956 Rosenbaum 160-3443,074,356 l/l963 Parker et al. 16--95 X 3,105,543 10/1963 Nolan 1603463,311,158 3/1967 Mason et al. 160-126 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, PrimaryExaminer.

PHILLIP C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner.

1. A TRAVERSE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A HOLLOW TRACK MEMBER HAVING ALONGITUDINAL SLOT IN ITS UNDERSIDE; AN ELONGATED OPERATING CABLEDISPOSED WITHIN SAID TRACK MEMBER; A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLYSLIDABLE CARRIERS SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID TRACK MEMBER HAVING DEPENDINGHANGER MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOT; AND A MASTER CARRIERRESPONSIVE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID OPERATING CABLE, SAID MASTER CARRIEDHAVING AN APERTURE FOR PASSAGE OF A PORTION OF SAID OPERATING CABLETHERETHROUGH, SAID APERTURE BEING SO POSITIONED AND DIMENSIONED AS TOALLOW SUBSTANTIALLY UNRESTRICTED MOVEMENT OF SAID OPERATING CABLE WHENSAID CABLE IS PLACED UNDER TENSION AND TENDS TO ASSUME ITS NATURALPOSITION WITHIN SAID TRACK MEMBER SO AS TO AVOID SUBSTANTIAL DISTURBANCEOF SAID MASTER CARRIER FROM ITS NORMAL OPERATING POSITION WITHIN SAIDTRACK MEMBER REGARDLESS OF THE DIRECTION OF THE TRACK MEMBER PATH.